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I'm on the 2.4 forekaster v.2/2.4 rekon rear both in maxx terra/exo on my epic evo and to be honest, they're quite narrow for 2.4s and not really grippy in the wet/mud/leaves that we had the last 2-3 months over here in Quebec. I was really surprised at the lack of grip on rocks and roots. In dry terrain, at lower pressures, they're amazing but here it's mostly peanut butter over hardpack and I was definitely underwhelmed by them.

I second the Spesh Purgs. I've been using them on my little Norco Optic for a few months and have been loving them on anything I can stomach taking the optic down. T9 front, T7 rear.

Specialized Purgatory is indeed a good trail tire in similar category as Forekaster or regular EXO/EXO+ Aggressor and Dissector. I would not really call it a true X/C tire since they are heavy, or a true wet tire since they have short, blocky center knobs designed to roll. They shine on hardpack, intermediate desert trails, and packed modern MTB trails. They're amazing at our local X/C trail centers. They lack braking bite in steeps and loose, but roll and corner very nicely. You can get them in softest T9 rubber for the wet. If you're trying to beef up the...

Wicked Will soft is a good bet for roots and rocks,but packs up very quickly in sticky mud.

Many XC world cup athletes have turned to the Wicked Will for when conditions gets slick. Since you are looking for traction on wet roots, you will definitely want a softer rubber compound up front. The secret menu item for such conditions is the 29x2.4 Wicked Will Super Race Addix Soft. It's the only combination that comes in the fast rolling Super Race casing, but with the same rubber compound used on Schwalbe Trail and Enduro tires. Going for the same tire, but with the more durable and faster rolling Addix SpeedGrip rubber would make for a great rear tire...

This will be an abnormal opinion. But when I rode in pnw on a singlespeed rigid I ended up on continental barons. Great acceleration/deceleration in mucky conditions. Reasonable rolling speed (may not be fast enough for you in drier conditions). Ridiculously good on wet rocks and roots. They are the basis for argotyles so they those in the lightest casing available may be a good option for you as a winter/wet tire.

For me, even T7 is too hard on sloppy rocks and roots unless you enjoy going sideways all the time. I'd do T9 ? /T7 Slaughter combo instead.

forekaster was designed for this, wet tyre for XC but good trail tyre for the longer travel bikes.